Flash-light apparatus.



T. E. HALLDORSON.

FLASH LIGHT APPARATUS. APPLICATION rum) JAN.31,1913.

1,081,500; Patented Dec. 16, 1913. w

wwmmo g @gw if; *WMMM) ca COLUMBIA PLANoGR/mfl cm, WASHINGTON. D. c.

UNIT SsTAc FLASH-LIGHT APPARATUS.

rosrsoo.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS E. I-IAL LD OR- SON, a citizen of the United States, residlng in Omaha, in Douglas county, in the State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flash-Light Apparatus, and have described the same in the following specification, illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to that class of portable flash-light apparatus which is used in instantaneous photography not only to illuminate objects to be photographed but also to arrest the smoke and gaseous products of the illuminating flash.

It is the object of my improvements to render apparatus of this kind collapsible into a form convenient for transportation by hand; to utilize the external cover of the collapsed apparatus as its distending frame, and its expanding frame as its inclosing cover; to dilate the apparatus for action by opening that cover, to fold the same into a selfprotecting form by closlng that frame; and at the same time to produce a generally superior flash-light apparatus of the specified class.

To accomplish these objects, I incorporate in my improved flash-light apparatus a box, split longitudinally through the middle,

like a modern suit-case, into two mutually registering box sections, hinged together, in combination with a collapsible translucent screen subtending the angular space included between the box sections when opened apart.

In said drawings, which illustrate the best manner contemplated by me for applying the principles of the invention, Figure 1 is a flash-light apparatus constructed in accordance with these principles, and mounted in a distended and operative posltlon. Fig. 2 is an isometric view of the principal parts of the same apparatus in the same open position, parts being removed to exhibit the internal construction. Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation of the igniter, forming part of the same apparatus. Fig. 4 is an isometric view of the same entire apparatus, closed and inoperative.

In the illustrative apparatus of these views, the duplicate box sections 1 and 2 are shallow half-boxes, formed of wood or other light and rigid material lined with asbestos or other fire-proof material, and united by the hinges 3. These sections are mutually connected at each end by a folding brace 4:

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 31, 1913.

Patented Dec. 16,1913. Serial No. 745,338.

Which is terminally pivoted to the sections and is adapted to set them opened apart at a predetermined angle of about one hundred and twenty degrees as shown. They are also connected by the translucent fire-cloth screen 5, which is continuously attached to the opposite ends and free edges of the box sections interiorly, subtends tautly the angle formed between the sections when so opened apart, and forms with them the closed explosion chamber 6. WVithin this chamber, and within the rear box section 1, are mounted a pair of incandescent lamps 7, to be used for the purpose of focusing or train ing the apparatus upon the object which is to be illuminated by the flash-light. These lamps are supplied with electric current from any suitable external source through conductive wires 8 and 9 contacting in the socket 10, which permanently occupies a hole through the flexible screen 5. In the back wall of the same box section 1 is a small round hole 11, having a bushing, or thimble, denoted by the same numeral. This bushing leads into the middle interior of the section for the accommodation and support of the igniter hereinafter described. Likewise a metallic tubular socket 12 is secured in the bottom of this box section, and extends into its interior through a hole in its marginal wall. This is to support the box pivotally in its operative position upon the top of the supporting stand hereinafter described. In the main wall of the box section 2, is a hinged door 14, for the emission of smoke and gases.

The igniter 15, which is inserted from time to time, as occasion requires, in the hole and bushing 11, in the position shown in Fig. 1, is of general tubular form shown in detail in Fig. 3. Its inner end, being open at the top as a horizontal trough, constitutes a receptacle 16 in which successive charges of illuminating powder are laid for ignition as occasion may require. It has a transverse partition 17 having a central perforation to hold an explosive percussion cap 18, which ignites the powder to produce the flash. It comprises a spring-seated piston hammer 19, to explode the cap, a pivoted dog 20, to engage and disengage the hammer, and a pneumatic piston 21, actuated by the rubber bulb 22 to trip the dog.

The supporting stand, whereon the apparatus is mounted for use, comprises the pivotally collapsing legs 25, and the telescoping tubular sections 2 1. The topmost of the latter, standing vertical, occupies the socket 12 as a pivot. hen collapsed for storage or transportation, this stand, together with the igniter 15 and the pneumatic bulb 22, are packed conveniently outside the collapsed screen 5 and inside and between the box sections 1 and 2, which can then be fastened shut by the catches 26, and carried by the handle 27. Through the door 14, when opened for the purpose, the operator may expel the products of flash-li ht explosions from the chamber 6 by merely tapping the front of the screen 5 a number of times in succession with the fingers.

I claim as my invention 1. A flash-light apparatus of the specified class, comprising two mutually registering box sections, hinged together and adjustable by an intermediate brace, a smoke door in one of the box sections, a thimble set in the wall of the other of those sections, a flexible screen having its margin continuously attached to the separable margins of the box sections, and forming with those sections when distended a closed explosion chamber, and a tubular igniter which is adapted to be removably inserted in the thimblc and held thereby partly within and partly Without the explosion chamber and also alternatively to be contained within the box and outside the screen when the box is closed.

2. A flash-light apparatus of the specified class, comprising two mutually registering box sections hinged together, and shuttlng together into the form of a single closed box,

a spacing brace between the sections, a screen connecting the sections and collapsible within the box, a tubular igniter removably inserted in a retaining hole through the side wall of one of the box sections when opened apart, and containable outside the screen and Within the box when closed, a socket in one of the sections, and a collapsible supporting stand removably fitted to the socket and adapted to be placed outside the screen and Within the box when closed.

3. A flash-light apparatus of the specified class, comprising two mutually registering box sections hinged to each other and shutting together in the form of a single closed box, an adjustable spacing brace between the sections, a screen connecting the sections and collapsible within the box, and a tubular igniter adapted not only to be partially and removably inserted in a retaining hole through the side wall of one of the box sec tions but also alternatively to be placed outside the collapsed screen and inside the box when closed.

In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe 4 my name in the presence of two witnesses. THOMAS E. HALLDORSON. Witnesses WILLARD EDDY, A. M. POWER.

Qop'les of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. G. 

